Situated in a country with a majority Muslim population, Prambanan remains an ancient reminder of Hinduism’s strong influence in this Southeast Asian nation. The history of the Prambanan temple compound dates as far back as the 8^th century AD. Its dramatic past and its religious significance are good enough reasons to take the time to marvel at Prambanan’s majesty. The temples of Prambanan have extraordinary height and feature a very distinct “pointed” architecture. It is considered by many experts as one of the most marvelous religious structures in South East Asia. So, it’s not surprising that this Hindu temple complex was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1991.

You will find the Prambanan temples on a raised square set in a luscious plain in between the regions of Central Java and Yogyakarta. In total, there are 11 temples of varying sizes sitting on the square. The largest one of them all is the Shiva or Siva temple, which boasts a height of 50 meters. Like other Hindu temples, the Prambanan temples were built in honor of Hindu gods likes Brahma and Vishnu. But as a whole, the temple compound is dedicated to Shiva, and is therefore considered to be largest one of its kind in Indonesia.

Originally, there were more than 200 smaller temples of similar sizes around the central square. However, most of them are just mere ruins today.  Just like Borobudur, the Prambanan temples and balustrades are adorned with carvings. The Siva temple is widely known for its 62 depictions of the famous Hindu story/ballet called Ramayana. Apparently, there are times that performances based on this traditional ballet are held on an open air stage within the temple complex.

Some Useful Tips:

Take note that within the temple grounds, there are few interpretative signs that will give you a clear background of Prambanan. Thus, in order to make your visit more fruitful and meaningful, consider getting an expert guide to enlighten you about Prambanan’s past and the reasoning behind its exquisite design.  If you are on the budget conscious side, then you can always read up about the temple compound, or bring a guide book during your visit.

Unless you plan on staying in the Prambanan area, you don’t need a full day to explore the site. One or two hours is enough to roam around, climb the elevated temples and get memorable pictures to show family and friends on Facebook or otherwise. The steps to the top of each temple are quite steep and more suited for baby feet. So take your time and watch your step when going up and down.  Climbing up the temples can be a little trickier when hordes of tourists have the same thing in mind. The key, of course, is patience.